Free Cloak of the Two Winds by Jack Massa Page A

rungs, had been dropped for them. The Iruks clambered up the ladder and heaved themselves over the rail, spilling onto the deck where they lay panting and exhausted.
    The girl-like witch, Captain Troneck, and a number of sailors had assembled on the deck to confront the Iruks. Lonn looked up at them for some moments, before achingly climbing to his feet. His mates rose beside him.
    The men of Larthang, lean and cold-looking in their wool coats and hats, regarded the Iruks with open hostility. They had armed themselves with ice-axes, knives, and belaying pins.
    The witch stood before them, in a long coat of gray fur, her hands folded in the wide sleeves. She was taller than Lonn had thought, fully his own height or better. Her sea-blue eyes stared into his eyes and seemed to pierce through to his brain.
    "I am Amlina, a deepshaper of Larthang," she said. "This ship is under my hire and command."
    "I am Lonn," his voice grated. "This is Eben, Draven. We are Iruks of ..."
    "You are three of the pirates who robbed me. I know this already, as I know that the Cloak of the Two Winds was stolen from you in turn—along with your iceboat and one of your crew."
    "If you know who we are," Eben said, "why have you taken us on board?"
    "Why do you suppose?" Amlina retorted. "To imprison you in glass beads to wear around my neck? To turn you into fish and watch you drown in the air? Don't worry. I haven't the time or inclination for such amusements. No. Kizier the windbringer convinced me to take you on board. For some reason, he believes there is worth in you Iruks, and that you might bring me good luck, though so far you've brought me only evil."
    "And you accept his opinion." Draven smiled winningly.
    "I consider it remotely possible he is correct."
    "He is wise, this windbringer," Lonn said, grasping at the opportunity. "You seek your treasure, we seek our mates. There's no reason we shouldn't join forces now and help each other."
    "Oh, indeed?" Amlina said. "I can help you by letting you stay on board, thus preventing your imminent drowning. How can you help me?"
    "As fighters," Draven answered readily. "Your ship plainly needs protection. It would never have fallen prey to one hunting boat if you'd had a few warriors aboard."
    "Besides," Eben said, "we know the seas and islands of this region, and you do not."
    "I doubt the Cloak of the Two Winds will be in this region for long," Amlina replied. "Your other point, however, has some merit. I was forced to leave Nyssan without acquiring suitable bodyguards. Not that you are exactly suitable."
    "We are Iruks," Lonn threw back his shoulders. "None are better with spear or sword."
    "That may be so," Amlina said. "Still, I must decide for myself whether to take you into my service. This evening I will put the question to the Deepmind. You will have my decision in the morning. Meantime, you'll be given food and water. But to assure that you'll cause no trouble, I must take your weapons and chain you to the mainmast."
    "No." Lonn and Eben gripped their sword hilts.
    "There's no need to chain us.'" Draven held up his hands. "We won't harm anyone."
    "It must be done," Amlina insisted. "You've butchered two men of this crew already. The others understandably disfavor having you on board. I won't have their safety threatened, nor their efficiency impaired because they're worried about having their throats cut."
    At a gesture from the witch the Larthangans started forward. In a blur of motion, the Iruks drew their swords. The crewmen halted.
    "We've never been chained in our lives," Lonn declared. "We'll not have it now."
    "You cannot fight me," Amlina said quietly. "Put down your weapons."
    "Never."
    "Put down your weapons."
    Her voice, still soft, reverberated with a tone of irresistible command. Her eyes seemed to grow larger, until they filled Lonn's vision and burned inside his skull. Against his will, the sword drooped, then slipped from his fingers. Three swords rang dully as they struck